Lemon Button Fern
The lemon button fern is a petite, well-behaved cousin of the Boston fern - upright fronds of small round leaflets, a faint lemony scent when brushed, and a compact size that never takes over the shelf.
🗓️ Last reviewed: July 2026
Overview
The lemon button fern is a petite, well-behaved cousin of the Boston fern - upright fronds of small round leaflets, a faint lemony scent when brushed, and a compact size that never takes over the shelf. One of the easiest, tidiest ferns going. (Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii'.)
Origin & Natural Habitat
A dwarf cultivar of the widespread sword fern (Nephrolepis), grown worldwide as a compact, manageable houseplant.
Appearance
Neat upright fronds 20-30 cm tall lined with small rounded leaflets, forming a tidy little clump; a subtle lemon scent when the fronds are crushed.
Why People Grow It - Qualities & Benefits
- Compact and slow - stays tidy
- Faint lemon scent
- Easier than most Nephrolepis ferns
- Pet-safe (non-toxic true fern)
Care
Light: Bright indirect light; medium light tolerated. No direct sun.
Water: Keep evenly moist - ferns dislike drying out - but with drainage; slightly more forgiving than the big Boston fern.
Soil: Peat-free, moisture-retentive but draining potting mix.
Temperature & Humidity: 16-24°C; appreciates moderate humidity but copes with average rooms better than fussier ferns.
Feeding: Half-strength balanced feed monthly in spring-summer.
Extra: A great desk or bathroom fern - small, scented and forgiving; keep it out of hot dry drafts.
Propagation
Divide the clump in spring; runners also produce plantlets you can pot up.
Common Problems & Pests
Browning fronds = too dry or low humidity; yellowing = over-wet. Easy to revive from a light wilt.
Toxicity & Safety
Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Best Suited For
- Beginners and forgiving-fern seekers
- Pet households (true ferns are non-toxic)
- Shade and bright-indirect spots
- Terrariums and humid rooms
FAQ
Is it really lemon-scented?
Faintly - brush or crush the fronds and you get a light citrus note; it's subtle, not a room-scenter.
Boston fern or lemon button?
The lemon button is a smaller, tidier, more forgiving relative - better for shelves and less demanding on humidity than a full Boston fern.